Duloxetine inhibits voltage-dependent K channels in rabbit coronary arterial smooth muscle: Electrophysiological evidence and mechanistic insights.

Duloxetine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, has been associated with increased blood pressure and other vascular side effects. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood. Voltage-dependent K (Kv) channels are key regulators of membrane potential and vascular tone in arterial smooth muscle cells.

Impact of endocrine disrupting chemical exposure on thyroid disruption and oxidative stress in early pregnancy.

Non-persistent endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are associated with increased oxidative stress and disrupted thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) during pregnancy; however, the results of previous studies are inconsistent. This study assessed the concentrations of 15 non-persistent chemicals, TSH, and oxidative stress biomarkers in pregnant women during the first trimester in Korea. This study was a prospective cohort study, recruiting a total of 242 pregnant women from March 18, 2022 to March 17, 2023.

Asian sand dust exacerbates airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma.

Background: Asian sand dust (ASD), generated from the deserts of China and Mongolia, mainly affects the human health of several countries in Northeast Asia including China, Korea, and Japan. In this study, we investigated the toxic effects of ASD on respiratory tract and explored the effects of ASD exposure on allergic asthma using ovalbumin-induced asthma model. C57BL/6 male mice were used for both the toxicity and allergic asthma studies.

Endothelial ActRIIA inhibition protects the cardiac microvasculature in severe viral respiratory infection.

Cardiac complications, including myocardial injury and dysfunction, are common in severe viral respiratory infections (VRI) and are associated with increased mortality . The pathophysiology of VRI-induced myocardial injury is multifactorial, but frequently involves structural damage to the heart's microvascular network that leads to subsequent myocardial ischemia and dysfunction . Currently, there are no targeted therapies available to prevent or attenuate VRI-associated myocardial injury.

Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria in high- and low-transmission areas of Tanzania: The role of asymptomatic carriers in malaria persistence and the need for targeted surveillance and control efforts.

As many countries implement different programs aimed at eliminating malaria, attention should be given to asymptomatic carriers that may interrupt the progress. This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in Tanzania from December 2022 to July 2023 within 4 villages from each of the 3 regions, Geita and Kigoma, which are high malaria transmission, and Arusha, which is low transmission. Malaria was diagnosed in asymptomatic individuals aged 1 year and older using the malaria rapid diagnostic test and light microscope.

In vitro study of silver nanoparticles-induced embryotoxicity using a rat whole embryo culture model.

Recently, our in vivo experiment showed that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) did not cause developmental toxicity. However, the putative influences of direct exposure of AgNPs on the embryo-fetuses could not be elucidated because the embryo-fetus was exposed to AgNPs through their dams. In this study, the potential impact of AgNPs on embryonic development during the critical phase of organogenesis was examined utilizing a rat whole embryo culture model.

Activin E is a new guardian protecting against hepatic steatosis via inhibiting lipolysis in white adipose tissue.

Hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is implicated in the development of steatosis and its progression to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The ER in the liver can sustain metabolic function by activating defense mechanisms that delay or prevent the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the precise mechanisms by which the ER stress response protects against NAFLD remain largely unknown.

Ellagic Acid from and Antimalarial Activity of Korean Medicinal Plants.

This study investigates the antimalarial potential of extracts and compounds from various plants used in traditional Korean medicine, in response to the increasing resistance of to standard treatments such as chloroquine and artemisinin. The antimalarial activity screening was conducted on 151 extracts, identifying the top seven candidates, including (50% ethanol and 100% methanol extract), , (hot water and 50% ethanol extract), , and . Among these, was identified as the top priority for further analysis due to its high antimalarial activity and high yield of bioactive compounds.

Silibinin alleviates house dust mite induced allergic airway inflammation by inhibiting NLRC4 inflammasome and MMP-9 expression.

Silibinin, a major compound of silymarin, has been reported to alleviate respiratory diseases including acute lung injury, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary fibrosis through its antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. However, the specific mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects, particularly in allergic asthma, are not fully understood. With the increasing prevalence and impact of allergic asthma, there is a need to elucidate the exact underlying mechanisms of its potential treatment effects.

Muscle-derived myostatin is a major endocrine driver of follicle-stimulating hormone synthesis.

Myostatin is a paracrine myokine that regulates muscle mass in a variety of species, including humans. In this work, we report a functional role for myostatin as an endocrine hormone that directly promotes pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) synthesis and thereby ovarian function in mice. Previously, this FSH-stimulating role was attributed to other members of the transforming growth factor-β family, the activins.

Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes Based on Changes in Glycosylated Hemoglobin Levels During First and Second Trimesters of Pregnancy in Women with Pregestational Diabetes: Multicenter, Retrospective Cohort Study in South Korea.

This study compared glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy and assessed maternal and neonatal outcomes according to HbA1c variations among women with pregestational diabetes. This retrospective, multicenter Korean study involved mothers with diabetes who had given birth in 17 hospitals. A total of 292 women were divided into three groups based on HbA1c levels during the first and second trimesters: women with HbA1c levels maintained at <6.

Chemoselective Deprotection of Symmetrically Diprotected Resorcinol -Methyliminodiacetate (MIDA) Boronates Using the MIDA Boronate Moiety as a Blocking Group: Synthesis of Monoprotected Resorcinol MIDA Boronates.

A novel protocol for the synthesis of monoprotected resorcinol -methyliminodiacetate (MIDA) boronates was developed via the chemoselective deprotection of diprotected resorcinol MIDA derivatives with identical protecting groups, utilizing the MIDA boronate moiety as a blocking group for deprotection. This protocol exhibited a broad substrate scope, and the resulting MIDA boronates were readily isolated by simple filtration from the reaction mixture. Furthermore, the utility of this protocol was demonstrated by converting the resulting MIDA boronates into value-added chemicals containing resorcinol scaffolds.

Copper oxide nanoparticles exacerbate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by activating the TXNIP-NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Background: Although copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) offer certain benefits to humans, they can be toxic to organs and exacerbate underlying diseases upon exposure. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), induced by smoking, can worsen with exposure to various harmful particles. However, the specific impact of CuONPs on COPD and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.

TXNIP regulates pulmonary inflammation induced by Asian sand dust.

Asian sand dust (ASD), a seasonal dust storm originating from the deserts of China and Mongolia, affects Korea and Japan during the spring, carrying soil particles and a variety of biochemical components. Exposure to ASD has been associated with the onset and exacerbation of respiratory disorders, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigates ASD-induced pulmonary toxicity and its mechanistic pathways, focusing on the role of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP).

Post-occupancy evaluation on temporary negative pressure isolation wards with portable high-efficiency particulate air filter units used during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, in South Korea, several inpatient wards were converted to temporary negative pressure isolation (TNPI) wards by using portable high-efficiency particulate air filter units (PHUs). This study proposes improvements to the TNPI ward to prepare for airborne infections.

Methods: Existing air-conditioning systems were investigated during the pandemic in 4 hospitals through a document review and field investigation with staff interviews.

Pycnogenol-Assisted Alleviation of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle-Induced Lung Inflammation via Thioredoxin-Interacting Protein Downregulation.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiONPs) are used in products that are applied to the human body, such as cosmetics and food, but their biocompatibility remains controversial. Pycnogenol (PYC), a natural extract of pine bark, exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, we investigated whether PYC effectively alleviates pulmonary toxicity induced by airway exposure to TiONPs, and the beneficial effects of PYC were explained through the analysis of changes to the mechanism of cytotoxicity.

L. alleviates OVA-induced allergic asthma through NF-κB and MMP-9 pathways.

Allergic asthma, a type of chronic airway inflammation, is a global health concern because of its increasing incidence and recurrence rates. L. yields a variety type of teas, which are also used as medicinal plants in East Asia and are known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-potentiating properties.

Pregnancy outcomes of cerclage in twin gestations: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To determine the effects of cerclage on twin pregnancies.

Methods: A multicenter, retrospective, cohort study was conducted at 10 tertiary centers using a web-based data collection platform. The study population included twin pregnancies delivered after 20 weeks of gestation.